Well over the last two weeks ive completedly changed my Bearded Dragons diet from crickets and mice only to a variety of fruits and veggies along with his crickets and mice. He's looking a ton better. Now that I have the diet issue resolved its on to the substrate. He is on the Repti Crap sand and I know that needs to change. What substrates are there that I can use that actually look good in his enclosure? I don't want to do lenolium or newspaper because they really don't look that great. Are there any other alternatives? I was looking at the repti carpet stuff but it looks like it will be hard to clean. Are there any dirt or mulch substrates I could try?

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ginko tutors in basic math just ask paris hilton

obsoleta lindheimeri(texas ratsnake)
varanus nilocticus(nile monitor)
Sternotherus odoratus(musk turtle)
pagona minor(2)(bearded dragons breeding pair)

I don't have a Bearded Dragon, but I just had my first experience cleaning Repti-carpet for my Leopard Geckos and found it pretty easy. I removed the carpet and replaced it with a second, clean piece (so I have 2 pieces that I can alternate). I washed it in the washing machine, by itself, with a TINY amount of detergent. Then I washed it a second time, with no detergent, to make sure it was well-rinsed. Coming out of the washer it was nearly dry (from the spinning), and I hung it up and it was completely dry by morning.

I do clean up poop on a daily basis in between washings.

I'll let other people chime in on what's good for Bearded Dragons.

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Amy

not mulch, too many chemicals and can cause impaction. dirt can cause impaction too and has been known to cause yellow fungus disease. basically it leaves you with reptile carpet, and tile. but I find it better to ahve a healthy animal and have my tank look bland.

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If you must use some type of substrate other than newpaper or paper towels, then you can use play sand that has been screen washed. You can buy this pretty cheap at home depot or lowes.

yes you can, as long as you 1. wash it till the water runs clear, 2. screen it, and 3. bake it,but it still carries impaction risks.

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Sterling Bearded Dragons
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The petshop has play sand so I might get that. I've been tweezer feeding everything to my beardy shouldn't that keep him from ingesting too much sand?

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ginko tutors in basic math just ask paris hilton

obsoleta lindheimeri(texas ratsnake)
varanus nilocticus(nile monitor)
Sternotherus odoratus(musk turtle)
pagona minor(2)(bearded dragons breeding pair)

You just can't know that. Sometimes they eat stuff without any particular reason. They just do it!

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Wish list: Blue Tongue Skinks and Uruplatus =)

the repticarpet sounds like it might not be so bad

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ginko tutors in basic math just ask paris hilton

obsoleta lindheimeri(texas ratsnake)
varanus nilocticus(nile monitor)
Sternotherus odoratus(musk turtle)
pagona minor(2)(bearded dragons breeding pair)

Bearded Dragons will eat anything when you aren't looking...case in point Zola eating a dish towel:

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Those who say it can't be done should get out of the way of those who are doing it.

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If you want something more natural looking you might try large flat peices of stone, slate sandstone etc. It will be a pain however as crickets will disappear down into the cracks and it will be a chore keeping it clean.
Something that a lot of Bearded Dragon owners don't seem to realize is that dragons can be tub trained just like an iguana. If you put them in the tub or sink in a little bit of warm water they will eliminate and then you can return them to the tank. Its a hassle sometimes but much eaasier that tearing down a tank.

HOWEVER if you are using a sink or tub that is also used by humans be sure to clean and sterilize it with a little bleach after the Bearded Dragon is through.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!